What is the leading cause of traffic accidents?

Errors in human judgment are the leading cause of traffic accidents because a significant majority of collisions result from decisions made by drivers that are unsafe or inappropriate for the circumstances. Factors such as distracted driving, failure to yield right-of-way, driving too fast, and misjudging distances contribute heavily to the occurrence of accidents. Human factors like inattention or reaction times that are slow due to various reasons lead to mistakes that can result in crashes.

While mechanical failures, drunk driving, and weather conditions are also contributors to traffic incidents, they account for a smaller fraction of accidents compared to the widespread impact and variability of human judgment on the road. The prevalence of these errors emphasizes the necessity for ongoing driver education and awareness to minimize risks and promote safer driving practices.